Ventilating air distributing apparatus



Dec. 8, 1942. A, DA EREL 2,304,628

VENTILATING AIR DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 5,1939 @j/ZZd/E alalizezz Dec. 8, 1942.

w. A. DAMEREL 2,304,628

VENTILATING AIR DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 5,1939 Q jawere/ QAMM Q .which a distributing duct extending along aPatented Dec. 8, 1942 VENTILATING AIR DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS mesneassignments, to

pany, Chicago,

William A. Damerel, Winnetka, Ill., assignor, by

Burgess Battery Com- Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application June 5,1939, Serial No. 217,335

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in airdistributing apparatus forventilating systems, and pertains particularly to that type ofairdistributing apparatus in which the ventilating air is introducedinto an enclosure through a perforated or otherwise apertured panel oflarge area. in comparison with the ordinary ventilating g e.

Air-distributing apparatus 'of the above type in wall or ceiling of theenclosure to be ventilated is separated from the enclosure by a doublepanel of sheet-like apertured members in spaced parallel relation toeach other has recently been commercially adopted and is now widely usedfor distributing conditioned air into closed vehicles, especially inrailway coaches and motor buses. The distributing duct is generallylocated overhead and the double panel air distributor forms at least aportion of the ceiling of the enclosure.

The inner panel, which is not visible from within the enclosure, may beprovided with a number of distributed openings which permit the passageof air from the distributing duct into the space between the panels, orthis pane1 may have a single opening provided with means for spreadingand diffusing the air passing through it from the distributing duct.Structure of the former type is more fully described in the Ralph F.Norris Patent No. 2,172,944, dated September 12, 1939, and structure ofthe latter type is more fully described in Ralph L. Leadbetter copendingpatent application Serial No. 205,403, filed May 2, 1938. Both of thesetypes of apparatus include an exposed panel having a large number ofperforations, or being otherwise foraminated, spaced from the innerpanel just described. The

I inner panel is generally referred to as the control pane1 since itfunctions, due to its limited opening area, to restrict the flow of airfrom the distributing duct, in this way causing the maintenance of anappreciable static pressure in the distributing duct. This pressurecondition is desired to obtain proper distribution of air from the ductand also to enable adjustment of the volumes of air entering theenclosure at any particular zone of the distributor. The perforatedexposed facing member is usually designated the distributing panel sinceit servesto further spread the air stream and is the final outlet of theair distributor. More than two panels may be used, if desired.

Experience has shown that it is necessary to remove one or both of theair-distributing panels frequently for the purpose of removingaccumujust under the roof.

lations of foreign materials deposited by the ventilating air. This isnecessary in view of the inability of filters to remove more than a partonly of the with the air taken into the system. In order to minimizemaintenance costs and make the construction commercially practical, theair-distributing panels must be conveniently and quickly demountable.

The object of this invention, specifically, is to provideair-distributing apparatus of the type above described which may beconveniently demounted for servicing. The invention resides in themethod and means of mounting the distributor assembly. A further objectisto provide means for temporarily disassembling the apparatus either asa double panel unit or by opening the distributing panel only, asdesired by the operator. A further purpose of the invention is to attainthese objects by simple and inexpensive means. I

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, partly in section, showing the airdistributor assembly in a railway car;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the assembly of Fig. 1 taken transverselyof the railway car; and

Figs. 3 and 4 show different embodiments of the invention in transversesection.

Referring specifically to Figs. 1 and 2, the former illustrates theair-distributing apparatus in assembled state and in both stages ofdisassembly. The air-distributing apparatus forms the ceiling of thesleeping car illustrated. A distributing duct l extends lengthwise ofthe car If the car is provided with a clerestory, the duct may bedisposed in it. Proper insulation should be provided between the ductand the exterior wall of the car to prevent, so far as possible, coolingof the ventilating air in the winter time and warming in the summertime. An air-distributing unit consists, essentially, of a control panel2 and a perforated distributing panel 3; The control panels of the unitsform the floor of the distributing duct and the distributing panels areexposed to the interior of the railway car. As most clearly shown inFig. 2, an opening 4 is provided in control panel .2 through which airmay flow downwardly from distributing duct I into the space betweenpanels 2 and 3. A valve plate or shutter 5, adjustable by means ofspindle 6, may be used to regulate the rate of flow of air from thedistributing duct through opening 4. Spring cradles I maintain a tensionin spindle 6 and prevent rattling of the valve plate against theconuting panel. Opening l may be trol panel. A baflle diffusing devicewhich operates to spread and diffuse the stream of air passing from thedistributing duct through opening 4 is shown at 8. Opening 9 is providedin the diflusing device for access to spindle 8 in adjusting the airflow control valve, and opening l0 may be provided if it is desired tomake adJustments of air flow without disturbing the distribnormallyclosed by a removable plug.

The above brief description has been given in order that the inventionmay be entirely clear although this apparatus is described in the RalphL. Leadbetter patent application above referred to.

The air-distributing panels are mounted in an unique and ingeniousmanner for the purposes hereinbefore stated. In the particulararrangement of Figs. 1 and 2 the air-distributing units, each consistingof a control and a distributing panel, are arranged two abreastthroughout the length of the car. Control panel 2 and distributing panel3 are fastened together and the unit supported along its outside edge tostructural member H by means E2. The control panel is fastened to wing93, the distributing panel is fastened to wing it and wing 45 of thehinge is fastenedto the angle iron H. The inner edges of th distributorunits are supported by channel 6. The control panels and distributingpanels are preferably independently supported along their inside edges,fiat headed screws ll! supporting control panels 2 and screws 58 whichpass through a batten strip l9 supporting distributing panels 3. The twotransversely adjoining distributing panels may be separately supported,if desired, but since both of these panels would ordinarily be droppedtogether for cleaning purposes, the arrangement illustrated ispreferred.

It will now be seen that the inside surfaces of the air-distributingpanels and of the distributing duct l are easily accessible forservicing purposes. For a superficial run-end servicing the distributingpanel 3 may be dropped alone so that its inside surface and diffusingelement 8 may be cleaned. This is illustrated on the left side ofFig. 1. The entire distributing apparatus of the unit on the right sideof Fig. 1 has been lowered for a complete periodic servicing, the panelsmay be quickly swung back into place and the supporting screws replaced,

The embodiment of Fig. 3 employs the simple form of control panelhereinbefore mentioned. Sheet metal or some suitable artificial woodmaterial may be used. If metal is used, it is desirable to re-enforcethe sheet by turning up the edges to form a flange 2|. A number ofdistributed perforations or apertures are punched in this panel, all asmore fully described in the Ralph F. Norris patent referred to above.Both the control panel 20 and distributing panel 22 extend between thehalf deck portions 23 of the railway car. Distributing duct 24 is housedby clerestory 25.

In this embodiment of the invention ordinary two-wing hinges 26 and 21are used in mounting the panels of the air-distributing apparatus.Channel members 28 and 29 are fastened to the structural members of thecar. Distributing panel 22 is mounted to the lower leg 30 of channel 28by means of hinge 26 and control panel 20 is supported at the oppositeside of the distributing duct to leg 3| of channel 29 by means of binge21. The free edge of control panel 20 of a three-wing piano hingecleaning. After of the hinge 26 when is demountably fastened to theupper leg 32 of channel member 28 and the free edge of distributingpanel 22 is adapted to seat against the lower leg 33 of channel 29.Suitable screws or other means may be used to fasten the free edges totheir respective supports. As shown in the drawing, upper legs 3| and 32of channel members 29 and 28 extend inwardly beyond the lower legs ofthe channel members. This enables control panel 20 to swing clear of thelower legs and distributing panel 22 is in the open position and it isdesired to drop the control panel also. Obviously the distributing panelmay be dropped independently of the control panel. This will permitready access to the control panel for cleaning or adjustment of the openarea thereof, the latter adjustment usually being made by plugging allbut the desired number of holes.

A further arrangement is illustrated in Fig, 4. Here only a portion ofthe ceiling of the railway car is used for the purpose of introducingventilating air into the interiorof the car, the middle portion 33 beingused for lighting fixtures. The air-distributing units consisting ofcontrol panels 34 and distributing panels 35 are arranged in end-to-endabuting relationship throughout the length of the car. The panels of theunits are hingedly supported along their inner edges by means ofthree-wing hinges 36 and 31. As described above in connection with Figs.1 and 2, each of two of the wings of the hinges are fastened to edges ofcontrol panel 34 and distributing panel 35, respectively, and theremaining wing is fastened to one of the structural members 38. Theoutside or free edges of the panels are demountably fastened to angleirons 33 provided at the sides of the distributing duct 40.

When the panels of the arrangement of Fig. 4 are opened for servicingpurposes, both surfaces are readily accessible.

In all embodiments of the invention, the airdistributing units may behinged to a wall of the distributing duct or to another structure, suchas the duct or to an adjacent structural member.

The importance of the novel constructions herein disclosed will bereadily apparent to those part of the duct S pporting means,

with the air-conditioning of passenger compartments of vehicles. Aserious obstacle, the dirtying of the air-distributing apparatus, hasbeen obviated by providing readily cleanable distributoccupancy.

I claim:

swung outwardly inside surfaces of said unit and of said duct.

2. In a ventilating system for an enclosure,

means for distributing ventilating air into said enclosure comprising adistributing duct having at least a portion of one side open forcommunication of said duct with said enclosure, and an air-distributingpanel unit arranged in and substantially closing the open portion ofsaid duct, said unit being composed of a plurality of spaced, superposedapertured panel members each of which is hingedly supported formanipulation independently of other panel members normally disposedinwardly thereof with respect to said duct, whereby to provide readyaccess to the surfaces of said panel members and the inside surfaces ofsaid duct.

3. In a ventilating system for an enclosure, means for distributingventilating air into said enclosure comprising a distributing ducthaving at least a portion of one side open for communication of saidduct with said enclosure, and an airdistributing panel unit arranged inthe open portion of said duct, said unit being composed of a pluralityof superposed apertured panel members, and a hinge having a singlespindle and a plurality of sets of independently operating wings, eachof said panel members one edge by one set of wings of said hinge, saidhinge being supported at one side of said exposed side of said duct.

4. Ventilating air distributing apparatus for a vehicle comprising adistributing duct extending lengthwise subjacent the roof thereof; atleast one air-distributing panel unit associated with said duct; saidunit comprising a perforated distributing panel forming at least aportion of the ceiling of the vehicle enclosure and being hingedlymounted along one edge thereof to the lower edge of one side of saidduct, and a control panel having at least one opening therein andforming the floor of said duct, said control panel including aperipheral frame hingedly mounted along one edge thereof to said loweredge of said duct and being adapted to space said control panel abovesaid distributing panel.

5. Ventilating air distributing railway car having a clerestory, saidcomprising an apertured distributing panel hingedly mounted along thelower portion of one side of said clerestory at one edge thereof anddemountably fastened to the other side of said clerestory at the opposededge thereof, and an apertured control panel spaced above saiddisapparatus for a being supported at apparatus tributing panel andhingedly mounted along one edge to a side of said clerestory anddemountably fastened at the opposite edge to the other side of saidclerestory.

6. Ventilating air distributing apparatus for a railway car having aclerestory comprising a distributing duct arranged within saidclerestory, air-distributing panel units arranged two abreast andforming at least a portion of the floor of said duct, hinge means forsupporting said units along the edges thereof adjacent the clerestoryside walls, means for supporting the free edges of said units anddemountable means for fastening said free edges to said supportingmeans.

7. Ventilating air distributing apparatus for a railway car having aclerestory comprising a distributing duct arranged within saidclerestory, a stationary ceiling strip extending lengthwise of the carat the middle portion thereof only, and air distributing panel arrangedbetween said ceiling strip and the sides of said clerestory, the edgesof said units adjacent said stationary ceiling strip being hingedlymounted thereto and the edges of said units adjacent the sides of saidclerestory being demountably fastened thereto.

8. In a ventilating system for an enclosure, means for distributingventilating air into said enclosure comprising a distributing ducthaving at least a portion of one side open for communication of saidduct with said enclosure, and an air-distributing panel unit arranged inand substantially closing the open portion of said duct, said unitcomprising a control panel having at least one opening therein and aperforated distributing panel in spaced substantially parallel relationto said control panel, said control panel being hingedly supported alongone edge thereof.

9. In a ventilating system for an enclosure, means for distributingventilating air into said enclosure comprising a distributing ducthaving at least a portion of one side open for communication of saidduct with said enclosure, and an air-distributing panel unit arranged inand substantially closing the open portion of said duct, said unitcomprising an apertured control panel and a perforated distributingpanel in spaced substantially parallel relationship to each other, saiddistributing panel being hingedly supported along one edge thereof.

' WILLIAM A. DAMEREL.

